City of Knoxville City Council met May 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Call to Order: Mayor Myers called the regular Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM. All rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Present: Aldermen Eiker, Gruner, Hillier, Hope, Moore, and Reed; Mayor Myers, Treasurer Barnum, Chief Poyner, Engineer Cooper, Attorney McCoy, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Alderman Taylor. Also present: Ms. Susan Bates, Mrs. Carolyn Barton, Mr. Gary Goudie, Mr. Lance Mitchell, Mrs. Kathy Mitchell, Mr. Don Ryner, Mr. Michael Lakis, Mr. Charles Rodgers, Mr. Randall Gaffner, Ms. Laun Dunn.
Public Comments: None.
Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the May 2, 2022 City Council Meeting. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.
GENERAL REPORTS
Attorney Report: No report.
Engineer Report: Engineer Cooper stated that the lead service line replacement project planning report was approved by the state, and the bid process will start this summer 2022. The Henderson Road paving project will be completed by the end of this week. The Public Square resurfacing is waiting on IDOT approval, and bids should be able to be submitted to the Council in June. The oil and chip project is waiting on IDOT approval.
Treasurer’s Report: No report.
City Clerk’s Report: No report.
Payment of City Bills: Alderman Eiker moved to approve payment of the City Bills. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.
INFORMATION ITEMS
• Mayor Myers noted that the monthly departmental operating reports were available in the online Council packet.
OLD BUSINESS
1. City Hall Annex Message Sign: Clerk Wilt stated that a Galesburg Sign and Lighting representative was unable to attend the meeting. The item will be postponed until the June 6, 2022 Council meeting.
2. Vacate Alley West of Broad St between Mill and Locust Streets: Following the May 2, 2022 discussion about vacating this alley, all residents in the block were sent letters informing them of the intent to vacate the alley. The following residents addressed the Council with comments: Lance Mitchell, 303 S Timber St, Carolyn Barton 301 S Timber St, Michael Lakis 306 S Broad St, Don Ryner 304 S Broad St, Charles Rodgers, 309 S Timber St, Gary Goudie, former resident of 301 S Timber St. All stated that they were opposed to the City vacating the alley. Alderman Gruner moved to vote on the alley west of Broad St between Mill and Locust Streets. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which failed with zero (0) Yes votes, six (6) No votes and one (1) Absent.
3. Vacate Portions of Undeveloped Washington, West, and Jack Streets: Attorney McCoy presented three separate ordinance drafts to vacate portions of Washington, West, and Jack Streets, north of Douglas St. He could not find that Jack St had been vacated previously. Alderman Hillier moved to vacate West St according to the map. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. Alderman Hillier moved to vacate Jack St according to the map. Alderman Hope seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. Alderman Moore moved to vacate a section of Washington St according to the map, and sell the additional half to the homeowner. There was no second to the motion. Alderman Eiker moved to table vacating a portion of Washington St for further study. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.
4. Sidewalk Concrete Prices: Following the May 2, 2022 Council meeting, it was discovered that there was an error in the requested concrete price increase. Alderman Eiker moved to set the homeowner’s share of the sidewalk concrete price per square yard to $2.50. Alderman Moore seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. The total price will now be $5.00 per square yard, with the City paying half and the homeowner paying half.
5. TIF Final Approval – Ghada Co 218 E Main St: The Economic Development Group has approved the finalized grant application for the Ghada Co for 218 E Main St. Alderman Gruner moved to approve the distribution of a TIF grant for $39,172.27 to the Ghada Co. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Ratify Contract with Constellation Energy for City Buildings: Mayor Myers signed a time-sensitive agreement on May 2, 2022 to lock in escalating rates with Constellation Energy to power City buildings. Alderman Eiker moved to ratify the contract with Constellation energy for a three year term starting Jun 2022. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.
2. Water Department Truck: Alderman Gruner proposed purchasing a new water truck to replace the current 2006 Chevrolet truck, and keep the old truck to use elsewhere in the City. Alderman Gruner moved to purchase a 2022 2500 Ram Truck from Bosak Chrysler Jeep in Merrillville IN outright for $66,866.25. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.
3. Wheel Tax Software Upgrade: Clerk Wilt presented two options from the vendor to update the wheel tax software, one hosted by the vendor, and one hosted by the City. Alderman Gruner moved to table the discussion until a later date to allow for further study. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.
4. James Knox Park – Born Learning Trail: Laun Dunn with the United Way requested permission to install a Born Learning Trail in James Knox Park, which is a series of signs and sidewalk paintings designed to educate children age birth to age 5. The United Way will do the work and maintenance, at no cost to the City. Alderman Hope moved to approve Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. The trail will lead from the pavilion to the restrooms.
5. James Knox Park – Skateboard Park Resurfacing: Alderman Reed presented bids to resurface and refurbish the skateboard park area of James Knox Park. Alderman Eiker moved to table this project for further study. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.
6. Request to Use City Lot on Ann and Timber Streets for Event Parking: Mayor Myers stated that Kevin Pelton, 205 N Hebard St, had requested to use the City owned lot across from the Police Station for overflow parking for a wedding at his home on June 25, 2022. Alderman Hillier moved to allow the parking request. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.
Mayor’s Report:
• Chief Poyner has been issuing multiple mowing abatements. Increasing mowing rates for abated yards will be placed on the June 6, 2022 agenda.
• The solar project provider for the wastewater treatment plant lost their private land lease, so now trees will need to be removed from City property to allow space for the solar array. Trees too large to remove from the property would be burned.
• Circle Drive still has water drainage issues. The road is falling apart, and rock will be placed on it for now. Attorney McCoy stated that the City could assert condemnation on it if the surrounding property owners do not agree to an easement.
• Mayor Myers met with potential First Ward Alderman Grant Rose.
• Notes from the Patsy Feltmeyer family and Bethel Baptist Church were circulated, thanking the City for the donation in Mrs. Feltmeyer’s memory.
• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 6, 2022 at 7:00 pm. An Appropriations workshop will be held at 6:00 pm prior to the meeting.
Committee Reports
• Administration: No report.
• Cemetery: No report.
• Economic Development: No report.
• Parks: No report.
• Police: No report.
• Sanitation: No report.
• Streets: No report.
• Water/Sewer: No report.
Adjourn: At 8:26 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent. The meeting was adjourned.
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